Three part tube

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a telescopic vacuum cleaner tube comprising a first inner tube, a second inner tube, and an outer tube, wherein the first and second inner tubes are arranged to form first and second telescopic links relative to first and second end portions of the outer tube, respectively. The outer tube forms the intermediate tube of the three-part tube while at the same time being fully accessible in any position, whereby one common grip for operating both of the two respective telescopic links, formed by the first and second inner tubes and the intermediate outer tube, of the three part telescopic tube is obtained.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a telescopic tube for a vacuum cleaner, and more particularly to a three part telescopic tube.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The idea of using telescopic tubes to be able to adjust the length of a vacuum cleaner tube is known. One advantage with telescopic vacuum cleaner tubes is to be able to optimize the tube length for a specific cleaning task or for the height of a person that is using the vacuum cleaner. Telescopic tubes also provide the benefit of minimizing the length of the tube when not in use, thus facilitated storage is provided.

The basic concept of telescopic tubes is to have an inner tube that is movably arranged within an outer tube. The tubes are further provided with a locking member, for instance a simple form of recess and engagement means that is released by means of a control mechanism, for instance by pressing down a release button, while the user pushes or pulls out the movable tube with respect to the outer tube. When the required length of the tube has been reached the locking member keeps the inner tube in position.

Telescopic tubes comprising three tubes joined with two telescopic links in the same unit are available on the market today. With two telescopic links a telescopic tube, which can be minimized in respect to its maximum length, i.e. when the two movable tubes are fully extended, is obtained. The two telescopic links are controlled by two separate control mechanisms, each controlling one individual telescopic link. A problem with this known three-part telescopic tube is that the adjusting the length of the tube by operating the telescopic links can be experienced as troublesome.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is one object of the present invention to provide a three part telescopic tube for a vacuum cleaner that alleviates the above-mentioned problem of the prior art. This object may be achieved by a telescopic tube for a vacuum cleaner according to the present invention as defined in claim 1.

Thus, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a telescopic tube for a vacuum cleaner, comprising a first inner tube, a second inner tube, and an outer tube. The first and second inner tubes are slidably arranged inside the outer tube and the first and second inner tubes are lockable relative the outer tube. The first inner tube is arranged relative to a first end portion of the outer tube to form a first telescopic link with the outer tube such that the first inner tube is extendable from the first end portion. The second inner tube is arranged relative to a second end portion of the outer tube to form a second telescopic link with the outer tube such that the second inner tube is extendable from the second end portion.

Thus, there is provided a three-part telescopic tube for a vacuum cleaner, where the outer tube encompasses two inner tubes that each are arranged to form a telescopic link at a respective end of the outer tube. Hence, the outer tube forms the intermediate tube of the three-part tube while it at the same time is fully accessible in any position: the fully extended position, the fully retracted position or any intermediate position between these positions. Thus both tubes are easily accessible at their respective ends at all times, and the total length of the tube is easily adjustable.

In accordance with an embodiment of the telescopic tube for a vacuum cleaner as defined in claim 2, the first inner tube and the first end portion of the outer tube are arranged with a first releasable locking member, and the second inner tube and the second end portion of the outer tube are arranged with a second releasable locking member. Due to the releasable locking members, the tubes can be securably locked relative each other in a locking position of the locking members and easily movable relative each other in a released position of the locking members.

In accordance with the telescopic tube for a vacuum cleaner, as defined in claim 3, the telescopic functions of the two respective telescopic links can be easily controlled by a control mechanism for the locking members, which control mechanism is arranged on the outside of the outer tube.

In accordance with the telescopic tube for a vacuum cleaner as defined in claim 4, the control mechanism is arranged to control the first and second locking members simultaneously.

This exemplary embodiment of the invention provides a telescopic three-part tube, that has two telescopic links that are controlled with only one control mechanism that is arranged to control the first and second locking members simultaneously. The telescopic tube is thereby allowed to be operated from retracted to extended positions by a one grip operation, which may simplify the length adjustment of the telescopic tube. Using one control mechanism also may simplify the construction complexity compared with prior three-part tubes, i.e. fewer parts can be used, and thus the manufacturing costs of the tube can be decreased.

In accordance with an embodiment of the telescopic tube for a vacuum cleaner the control mechanism comprises an interconnecting part between the first locking member and the second locking member, which is favourable for allowing simultaneous control of the first and second locking member.

In accordance with an embodiment of the telescopic tube for a vacuum cleaner as defined in claim 5, the interconnecting part is at least a part of a cylinder shell surface encompassing the outer tube. Since the outer tube is accessible in all position it allows for a common grip when extending and/or retracting the first and second telescopic links. The interconnecting part may be an integrated part of the outer tube.

In accordance with an embodiment of the telescopic tube for a vacuum cleaner as defined in claim 6, the first locking member and the second locking member are arranged to be released when receiving a longitudinally directed force in excess of a predefined threshold force. Hence, the operation of the telescopic tube is user friendly. The user only has to hold the outer tube with one hand and push or pull the inner tubes with the other hand to change the inner tube positions. According to an example embodiment, it is even possible to extend or retract the first and second inner tubes at the same time by using a third support, e.g. one foot on the suction nozzle, to hold one end of the telescopic tube and then push or pull the tubes in the required direction.

In accordance with an embodiment of the telescopic tube for a vacuum cleaner as defined in claim 7, the control mechanism includes a releasable locking device for releasing the first and second locking members allowing the repositioning of the inner tubes to a required position. When deactivating the locking device and after reaching the new required position, the locking device then locks the telescopic tube in the new position.

In accordance with an embodiment of the telescopic tube for a vacuum cleaner as defined in claim 8, the outer tube has a larger diameter than the first inner tube and the second inner tube, and the second inner tube has a larger diameter than the first inner tube. Thus, the first inner tube can be retracted into the second inner tube, which in turn can be retracted into the outer tube. This allows for achieving a reduced length of the telescopic tube in the fully retracted position. Thus, valuable space can be saved when storing the tube.

In accordance with an embodiment of the telescopic tube for a vacuum cleaner as defined in claim 9, the position of the inner tubes relative to the outer tube is continuously adjustable, thus making it possible for the user to make a precise adjustment of the length to fit to his or her own height or to some other required criteria, like for instance required radial range of the vacuum cleaner tube.

In accordance with an embodiment of the telescopic tube for a vacuum cleaner as defined in claim 10, the position of the inner tubes relative to the outer tube is stepwise adjustable, allowing fixed preferred positions of the telescopic tube.

In accordance with an embodiment of the telescopic tube for a vacuum cleaner as defined in claim 11, at least one of the first and second inner tubes is connectable to a vacuum cleaner nozzle. According to an exemplary embodiment, wherein the first inner tube has a smaller diameter than the second inner tube, it may be more favorable to connect the vacuum cleaner nozzle to the first inner tube than the second inner tube. Due to the first inner tube having a smaller diameter than the second inner tube, the air steam will flow from a smaller diameter tube to a greater diameter tube, reducing the risk that dust particles in the air stream will clog the tube or that larger debris will get stuck further up the tube. Furthermore, placing the first inner tube with the smallest diameter closest to the vacuum cleaner nozzle may be favorable to the weight distribution of the vacuum cleaner tube, and may make the telescopic tube easier to manoeuvre.

In accordance with an embodiment of the telescopic tube for a vacuum cleaner as defined in claim 12, at least one of the first and second inner tubes is connectable to a vacuum cleaner housing or a flexible tube. The telescopic tube is advantageously connected directly to the vacuum cleaner housing or to a flexible tube, depending on the type of vacuum cleaner. On an upright model one end of the telescopic tube is preferably placed directly on the vacuum cleaner housing while the other end is provided with a handle, while on a canister model the telescopic tube is used as the vacuuming tube and is connected to a vacuum cleaner nozzle at one end and to a flexible tube at the other end. In an alternative upright model the telescopic tube is used as a vacuuming tube and is connected to a vacuum cleaner nozzle at one end, and to the vacuum cleaner housing at the other end, as shown in FIG. 5.

These and other aspects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter, but are not intended to limit the scope of the claimed or disclosed invention in any way.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described in more detail and with reference to the appended drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows schematic drawings of an embodiment of a telescopic tube for a vacuum cleaner according to the present invention: a) in fully extended position, b) in an intermediate position, c) in an intermediate position, and d) in fully retracted position;

FIG. 2 a) and b) shows cross-sectional views of an embodiment of a telescopic tube for a vacuum cleaner according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 a) and b) shows cross-sectional views of an embodiment of a telescopic tube for a vacuum cleaner according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a telescopic tube for a vacuum cleaner according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 a) and b) shows schematic drawings of embodiments of a telescopic tube for a vacuum cleaner according to the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1 a), there is shown a schematic drawing of a telescopic tube for a vacuum cleaner 10 according an embodiment of the present invention. The telescopic tube 10 comprises a first inner tube 11, herein after referred to as the lower tube 11, a second inner tube 12, herein after referred to as the upper tube 12, and an outer tube 13. The upper tube 12 is arranged to be longitudinally movable inside the outer tube 13, while the lower tube 11 is arranged to be longitudinally movable inside the upper tube 12 and the outer tube 13. Hence, the outer tube 13 can encompass at least a portion of the upper tube 12 and at least a portion of the lower tube 11. In this embodiment the outer tube 13 is of about the same length as, but somewhat shorter than, the lower tube 11 and upper tube 12. Hence, the outer tube 13 contributes to a substantial part of the fully extended telescopic tube 10, while at the same time allowing the inner tubes, 11 and 12, to be almost fully retracted into the outer tube 13. This minimizes the length of the fully retracted position of the telescopic tube 10 with respect to the fully extended position of the telescopic tube 10. However, in an alternative embodiment the length proportions of the lower tube 11, the upper tube 12 and the outer tube 13 may be chosen differently and such alternatives are not excluded from the scope of the invention as claimed.

The telescopic tube 10 further comprises a control mechanism 14, which is arranged at the outer tube 13, and further controls the longitudinal movability of the upper tube 12 and the lower tube 11.

FIG. 1 a) shows the telescopic tube 10 in its fully extended position, with the upper tube 12 and the lower tube 11 in the maximum extended position out of the outer tube 13, with only a minor part of the total length of the upper tube 12 and the lower tube 11 still arranged inside the outer tube 13. To manipulate the telescopic tube 10 into a fully retracted position, the user simply holds the outer tube 13, and hence the control mechanism 14, with a first hand and then apply a longitudinal force onto, for instance, the upper tube 12 with a second hand, i.e. the user holds the tube 12 and pushes it towards the outer tube 13, see FIG. 1 b). The user then holds the lower tube 11 with his second hand, while keeping the first hand on the outer tube 13, and pushes the lower tube 11 towards the outer tube 13, see FIG. 1 c). To manipulate the telescopic tube 10 from fully retracted position, which is shown in FIG. 1 d) to fully extended position, the user simply holds the outer tube 13, and the control mechanism 14, with a first hand and then apply a longitudinal force on to, for instance, the upper tube 12 with a second hand, i.e. holds the tube 12 and pulls it out of the outer tube 13. Then the user holds the lower tube 11 with his second hand, while keeping the first hand on the outer tube 13, and pulls the lower tube 11 out of the outer tube 13. Any intermediate position between the fully extended position and fully retracted position is allowed for the lower tube 11 and the upper tube 12.

In this embodiment the control mechanism is activated by overcoming a threshold force working on each locking member, such as described herein under.

Referring now to FIG. 2, which shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the invention, the relation between the diameters of the three tubes 11, 12, and 13, is set so that the outer tube 13 has a diameter that is larger than the diameter of the upper tube 12, while the upper tube 12 has a larger diameter than the lower tube 11. Hence, the outer tube 13 encompasses both inner tubes, 11 and 12, when the telescopic tube 10 is in a retracted position. A vacuum cleaner nozzle 40 preferably, as shown in FIG. 2 b), is connected to the lower tube 11. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention the inner tubes, 11 and 12, have the same diameter.

The control mechanism 14, which preferably is arranged at the outer tube 13, comprises a first locking member 15 and a second locking member 16. The first releasable locking member 15 is arranged at a first end portion 13 a of the outer tube 13 and bears against the lower tube 11. The first locking member 15 is arranged to lock the position of the lower tube 11. The second locking member 16 is arranged at a second end portion 13 b of the outer tube 13 and bears against the upper tube 12. The second locking member 16 is arranged to lock the position of the upper tube 12. When the control mechanism 14 is subjected to a longitudinally applied force, according to the description above where retraction and protraction of the telescopic tube was done by simply pulling or pushing the constituent tubes 11, 12, and 13 apart or together, respectively, the control mechanism 14 is arranged to release the first locking member 15 and the second locking member 16 simultaneously. The longitudinally directed force must exceed a predefined threshold force, i.e. the received force must be greater than the force imparted onto the inner tubes, 11 and 12, by the locking members holding the upper tube 12 and lower tube 11 in position. When the locking members, 15 and 16, are released the inner tubes, 11 and 12, are longitudinally movable relative to the outer tube 13. When the control mechanism 14 is no longer subjected to a longitudinal force, the locking members are reactivated and lock the inner tubes 11 and 12 in position.

According other embodiments of a telescopic tube for a vacuum cleaner, the locking members, 15 and 16, are provided as friction devices or clamping devices (such as conical wedges or the like) or a combination thereof. In these embodiments the positions of the inner tubes 11, 12 relative to the outer tube 13 are continuously adjustable. When using friction as the locking mechanisms 15 and 16, the control mechanism 14 is preferably designed as an integrated part of the outer tube 13 or the control mechanism 14 is designed to simply constitute the outer tube 13. An alternative way to manipulate the telescopic tube 10 from the fully retracted position, which is shown in FIG. 1 d) to the fully extended position, is in this alternative embodiment that the user holds the lower tube 11 with a first hand and then applies a force on to the upper tube 12 with a second hand, i.e. holds the tube 12 and pulls the lower tube 11 and upper tube 12 apart.

FIGS. 3 and 4, show cross-sectional views of embodiments according to the present invention. Hereinafter the telescopic link for the upper tube 12 is described, but the description is valid for the telescopic link for the lower tube 11 as well. Here, the upper tube 12 (and lower tube 11) is provided with a guide track 20 extending along the upper tube 12, and a plurality of positioning recesses 21 distributed along the upper tube 12. The guide track 20 is arranged to engage with a guide protrusion 30 arranged on the locking member 16. The function of the guide protrusion 30 and the guide track 20 is to keep the upper tube 12 from turning with respect to the outer tube 13 and can be arranged anywhere around the circumference of the upper tube 13. The locking member 16 further comprises a positioning protrusion 31 that is arranged to lock the longitudinal position of the upper tube 12 by engaging with any one of the positioning recesses 21. The locking member 16 is further provided with an M-shaped portion 37, se FIG. 4, which is kept in position with two biasing springs 32 and 33. A protruding portion 34 on the M-shaped portion 37 is arranged to press against the positioning protrusion 31 which then remains engaged with a positioning recess 21. When the control mechanism 14 is operated, according to the description above, a longitudinally applied force in excess of a threshold force works on the control mechanism 14, whereby one of the biasing springs 32 or 33 is compressed and the protruding portion 34 of the M-shaped portion 37 is repositioned to release the locking member 16 (and locking member 15) when the positioning protrusion 31 is released. When the locking member 16 is released the upper tube 12 is movable longitudinally relative to the outer tube 13. When the control mechanism is no longer subjected to a force, the protruding portion 34 of the M-shaped portion 37 is repositioned to lock the locking member 16 when the positioning protrusion 31 engages with another positioning recess 21 b, whereby the position of the upper tube 12 is fixed. In this embodiment the position of the inner tubes, 11 and 12, relative to the outer tube 13 is stepwise adjustable due to the stepwise distribution of the positioning recesses 21.

It should be clear that the locking members can be realized in a number of ways by any suitable well-known telescopic tube locking means.

In an alternative embodiment, the upper, lower and outer tubes, 11, 12, and 13, have an oval shape, hence guide tracks are not necessary, because the shape of the tubes prevents the tubes from rotating with respect to each other. Hence, the guide protrusion 30 and guide track 20 can be left out of the construction. Of course, any other suitable cross section can be used for the tubes, for example a rectangular or a polygonal cross section.

In an alternative embodiment of the telescopic tube for a vacuum cleaner at least one of the inner tubes 11, 12 is arranged to be fully detachable from the outer tube 13.

In an alternative embodiment of the telescopic tube for a vacuum cleaner the control mechanism further includes a releasable locking device 18, for locking the inner tube 11 and the upper tube 12 in position.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a telescopic tube 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention is connectable to a vacuum cleaner housing. As it can be seen in FIG. 5 a) the telescopic tube 10 is connected to the top of a vacuum cleaner housing 55 of an upright vacuum cleaner 50. The upper tube 12 (or lower tube 11 if the telescopic tube 10 is connected to the upright vacuum cleaner via the upper tube 12) is here preferably provided with a handle 56, which may be fixed or detachable.

In FIG. 5 b) the upper tube 12 of a telescopic tube 10, according to an embodiment of the present invention, is connected to a flexible vacuum cleaner tube 70, which flexible vacuum cleaner tube 70 is connected to a canister vacuum cleaner 60, an upright vacuum cleaner, or a remote central vacuum. The lower tube 11 of the telescopic tube 10 is connected to a vacuum cleaner nozzle 40. In an alternative embodiment the telescopic tube 10 is connected to a vacuum cleaner housing 55 in one end and a vacuum cleaner nozzle 40 in the other end as illustrated for the vacuum cleaner model shown in FIG. 5 c).

Embodiments of a telescopic tube for a vacuum cleaner according to the present invention have been described herein. These should be seen as merely non-limiting examples. As understood by a skilled person, many modifications and alternative embodiments are possible within the scope of the invention.

It is to be noted, that for the purposes of this application, and in particular with regard to the appended claims, the word “comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps, and that the words “a” and “an”, do not exclude a plurality, which will be apparent to a person skilled in the art. 

1. A telescopic tube for a vacuum cleaner, the telescopic tube comprising: an outer tube; a first inner tube slidably arranged inside the outer tube and selectively lockable in at least one first tube position relative to the outer tube, the first inner tube being arranged relative to a first end portion of the outer tube to form a first telescopic link with the outer tube such that the first inner tube is extendable from the first end portion; and a second inner tube slidably arranged inside the outer tube and selectively lockable in at least one second tube position relative to the outer tube, the second outer tube being arranged relative to a second end portion of the outer tube to form a second telescopic link with the outer tube such that the second inner tube is extendable from the second end portion.
 2. The telescopic tube for a vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein: the first inner tube and the first end portion of the outer tube are arranged with a first releasable locking member; and the second inner tube and the second end portion of the outer tube are arranged with a second releasable locking member.
 3. The telescopic tube for a vacuum cleaner according to claim 2, further comprising a control mechanism for controlling the first and second locking members,
 4. The telescopic tube for a vacuum cleaner according to claim 4, wherein the control mechanism comprises an interconnecting part between the first locking member and the second locking member, wherein the first and second locking members are simultaneously controllable by the interconnecting part.
 5. The telescopic tube for a vacuum cleaner according to claim 4, wherein the control mechanism is arranged on the outer tube.
 6. The telescopic tube for a vacuum cleaner according to claim 5, wherein the interconnecting part comprises a shell surface arranged over and along the outer tube.
 7. The telescopic tube for a vacuum cleaner according to claim 6, wherein the outer tube comprises a generally cylindrical outer tube surface, and the interconnecting part generally comprises a partial cylinder surface overlying the outer tube surface.
 8. The telescopic tube for a vacuum cleaner according to claim 2, wherein the first and second locking members are arranged to be released when receiving a longitudinally directed force in excess of a predefined threshold force.
 9. The telescopic tube for a vacuum cleaner according to claim 3, wherein the first and second locking members are arranged to be released when receiving a longitudinally directed force in excess of a predefined threshold force.
 10. The telescopic tube for a vacuum cleaner according to claim 4, wherein the first and second locking members are arranged to be released when receiving a longitudinally directed force in excess of a predefined threshold force.
 11. The telescopic tube for a vacuum cleaner according to claim 3, wherein the control mechanism includes a releasable locking device, for releasing and locking the first and second locking members.
 12. The telescopic tube for a vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the outer tube has a larger diameter than the first inner tube and the second tube, and the second inner tube has a larger diameter than the first inner tube.
 13. The telescopic tube for a vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the position of at least one of the first inner tube and the second inner tube relative to the outer tube is continuously adjustable.
 14. The telescopic tube for a vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the position of at least one of the first inner tube and the second inner tube relative to the outer tube is stepwise adjustable.
 15. The telescopic tube for a vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first inner tube and the second inner tube is connectable to a vacuum cleaner nozzle.
 16. The telescopic tube for a vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first inner tube and the second inner tube is connectable to a vacuum cleaner housing or to a flexible tube. 